(Top) HRH Prince Haji Sufri
Bolkiah, the president of the Brunei
Darussalam National Olympic
Council (BDNOC), delivers his
Sabda during the annual general
meeting held at Muzakarah Hall,
International Convention Centre,
Berakas, yesterday. (Above)
BDNOC president HRH Prince Haji
Sufri Bolkiah (L) talking to
secretary-general Hj Zuraimi Hj Abd
Sani (R) during the annual general
meeting held at Muzakarah Hall,
International Convention Centre,
Berakas, yesterday. Pictures:
BT/ Saifulizam

HRH Prince Sufri reelected as president

The president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) used yesterday's annual general meeting to force the council to take a good look at itself.

"... the most important thing (in the meeting) is whether BDNOC is still relevant or not in the development and progress of sports in the country," said His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah.

"This is a question, and very big challenge, that we must think about and face together," he continued in his speech at the Muzakarah Hall of the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

With the meeting going on to elect new members of the executive committee for four-year term, His Royal Highness — who was elected to another term — was confident that the reshuffle would serve to strengthen the council's cause.

A non-government organisation, the council is the umbrella body for 33 national sports associations but does not have the power to select athletes to represent the country at international tournaments.

"I believe that with leadership that is able, honest and responsible, has a goal and is willing to sacrifice for the country, BDNOC will not only be more integrated, respected, dynamic and have a clear and understood direction but it will also continue to drive development and progress of sports in the country," said the president.

During the elections after his speech, the Deputy Director (II) of the Department of Youth and Sports, Hj Muhd Zamri Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani, was named vice-president — replacing Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation president Hj Rosli Hj Mohidin.

Pg Raub Pg Hj Ghani is to head Male Athletes' Commission, tasked with representing current and former male national athletes and giving them a voice. He is also the point man when it comes to athletes' communication with the council.

Umi Kalthum Hj Abd Karim was named his female counterpart.

Dk Siti Amal Jariah Pg Hj Mat Jainin was given the unique role of Women's Representative. Standing up for women in the country, her responsibility is to promote the involvement of women in sports. It is a position that BDNOC introduced two years ago.

BAAA, BDCF, the Brunei Darussalam Golf Association, the Brunei Darussalam Taekwondo Association and the Brunei Darussalam Fencing Federation were all elected as committee members.

The fact that BDNOC has two positions on its executive-committee which caters solely to women will go a long way in dispelling the International Olympic Council's (IOC) notion that Brunei does not care about its female athletes.

Brunei was in the headlines last month for not sending female athletes to the Olympics when the head of IOC's international committee's women and sports commission Anita DeFrantz said that Brunei is one of only three countries — with Saudi Arabia and Qatar — that have never sent female athletes to the world's biggest multi-sport event.

Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Hjh Adina Othman responded by saying that women would be selected for London 2012 if they reached the qualifying standards.

The country has constantly been represented at international sports by women, ranging from the recently concluded Asean School Games in Kuala Lumpur which saw Under-18 athletes in action to the Commonwealth Games.

A new logo and constitution was also introduced, both moves aimed at bringing BDNOC in line with IOC standards.

The number of vice-presidents was reduced from four to two, and the secretary-general and treasurer's role was combined into one.

In addition, the number of committee members was reduced from 10 to five.

His Royal Highness also said that he was looking forward to more round table discussions between the council and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The round table discussion was the brainchild of His Royal Highness to help strengthen ties between both parties and also to exchange ideas to help improve the quality of sports in the country. The first meeting was held on November 17 last year and another was held on July 6, with various stakeholders of local sports also involved.